Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

[bichettehappens]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Thanks man! was that diary of a d-leaguer? think i remember that one! was enjoying it! you should have a go at resurrecting it!the real players in nbdl make it so much more enjoyable. only time will tell if ewing jr. gets signed up again, i'm going to play and post the grizzlies game before bed time now, leading into a meeting with with Dell Demps about his performance and contract.

Yeah Diary of a D-Leaguer. I tried to bring that one back a little while ago but didn't like the way the playcalling worked in MyPlayer post-patch so I lost interest :-\

Looking forward to the upcoming updates

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Game 6 New Orleans Hornets 108 - 115 Memphis Grizzlies



Unlike most of his teammates, Ewing Jr. played tough defense right to the final buzzer.

Jan 29, 2012 - Hornets @ Grizzlies
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
New Orleans Hornets (26-22)	22	21	33	32	108
Memphis Grizzlies (24-22)	32	28	25	30	115

New Orleans Hornets
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Patrick Ewing Jr.	23	2-10	1-3	2-2	8	6	1	2	0	7

Hornets Starters
C. Paul
S. Brown
Q. Pondexter
C. Landry
E. Okafor

Grizzlies Starters
M. Conley
OJ. Mayo
R. Gay
Z. Randolph
M. Gasol

Game Leaders
Pts - 32 - C. Paul (Hornets)
Rebs - 13 - Z. Randolph (Grizzlies)
Asts - 14 - M. Conley (Grizzlies)
Stls - 2 - J. Jack (Hornets)
Blks - 2 - P. Ewing Jr. (Hornets)

“So 4 losses on the bounce. Man that aint good. With that win, the Grizzlies have leapfrogged us into 6th place in the West. We are 1.5 games ahead of the Lakers in 8th though. Playing like this and not defending anymore, that gap will only close.”

"Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo tore through all night long. Gay had 27 and Mayo 23. And as if letting them two score wasnt enough, we allowed Selby (13) Gasol (12) Randolph (12) and Conley (12). As Chuck Barkley would say, our defense was just TURRIBLE!! Conley had 14 assists to go along with his 12 points. No surprise when his team had wide open jumpers all night. I just dont get how Coach can keep starting Pondexter. He looks like he'd barely get starting in the D-League right now. 4 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Season high for him in all categories I think!"

"CP3 made a man's effort to get us back in the game with 32 points and 7 assists. Jack had 19 off the bench. Shannon Brown was quiet but still had 17. Landry didnt get the ball much but scored 16 despite Randolph's tough defense. I didnt shoot very well tonight. 2-10 was horrible. But as my dad always says 'just play hard and the game will come to you'. Luckily it started to, I had 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. It was incredibly tough to guard the Beast Zach Randolph on the block, but he only scored 12. Coach Williams tried me on Rudy Gay and Mayo. I felt I done well for those few minutes, again forcing them to take bad shots, and even blocking Mayo once."

"But my poor shooting worries me. I tried to force the game too much. I hope i've done enough to impress Coach and Dell Demps. Have a meeting tomorrow morning before the guys catch the flight to California to play the Kings Wednesday night. So off to bed now in the hotel here in Memphis to say my prayers!"

[dyedbuthair]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Heh, love that poster of Junior making Perkins cringe in fear from his dunk forces.

Watch it, going 2-10 could send you back again. Especially with the team not doing so great.

[hoopla32]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

How much longer until the 10 day contract is up? Interested to see if he gets re-signed or not.

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

How much longer until the 10 day contract is up? Interested to see if he gets re-signed or not.

Its up on the 31st. Update of meeting with Dell Demps coming later. Just off to Bball practice now.

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Ewings Epilogue: Episode 6.



January 30th 2012

So my contract here is up tomorrow. But if i dont get a new one, i wont be travelling to California with the team tomorrow. I'd be heading back to Portland to meet up with Red Claws again. The terms of my 10 day contract stated that if i am released, i can return to the Red Claws to complete the year i signed up for. If the Hornets choose to sign me, they will fully compensate the Red Claws for my $12k contract. But there is plenty of time to worry about that later. Off to meeting in room 303 first.

Dell Demps: Hi Patrick, come on in.

Ewing Jr: Hey Dell, so how goes it?

Dell Demps: Well Patrick firstly let me say we have been very impressed with your performance so far.

Ewing Jr: Thanks Dell, it’s been a pleasure being back here.

Dell Demps: Well as you know we have a bit of an injury crisis here. What with David, Trevor and Peja being out. They are all due back in less than a fortnight though.

Ewing Jr: Yeah I kno, so you guys are going to be down numbers for another while then.

Dell Demps: Yes and it’s important that we have backup for all positions. We are really chasing a top 4 seed in the West this year. As you know, Chris Paul is opting out to be a free agent this summer. It’s paramount we challenge in the West this year, with a view to becoming championship contenders next year.

Ewing Jr: He loves it in New Orleans though, I can tell from being around him. But I can understand the need to make a run at the West this year.

Dell Demps: Yes, the one problem I have is about the mini slump we have been on lately. 2-4 just ain’t gonna get us where we want to be. So we are in a predicament. I’m never one to make panic changes. But I do go with my gut feelings a lot. Your numbers have been impressive in the 10 days. 13.8ppg, 6.3rpg and 3.2 apg. Your defense is improving all the time. I liked how you rose to the challenge of guarding Kobe. But..

Ewing Jr: But what?

Dell Demps: Well I’m going to be honest and say it Patrick, you’re a good kid and I want to see you succeed. I know last year didn’t end on the best of terms, but in hindsight I think I made a mistake in not resigning you. It would have eliminated this problem a lot easier this year.

Ewing Jr: Yea I thought I had shown enough potential to get a contract for this year.

Dell Demps: Almost. Listen we could quite easily sign you up for a 2nd 10 day contract, but I just don’t think that would be the decent way to resolve this problem. I feel I owe you something, you’ve played your heart out every game here for the Hornets.

Ewing Jr: Thanks, as I said before I really like this ball club, and New Orleans.

Dell Demps: I know, and that is very much appreciated by us all here. Listen every team we have played so far had been impressed by you. On offense and Defense, you’ve shown great potential. With Peja possibly coming back next week, and David and Trevor the week after, I don’t feel a 10 day contract is the right thing to offer you.

Ewing Jr: You mean?

Dell Demps: Well yes but no. We feel you should be signed for the rest of the year, but there is a major condition attached to that. It’s not just by us that the decision will be made by.

Ewing Jr: Well thanks, but what do you mean exactly?

Dell Demps: Well 2 other teams in the league want to sign you up for the rest of the year. We don’t want to let you go for nothing though.

Ewing Jr: Wow really who are they?

Dell Demps: The Bobcats and the Pistons. I’ve been on the phone to both of them, and I think we are getting close to a deal that suits all sides. Questions is, how do you feel about Detroit? Joe Dumars is really shaking things up over there. Putting together a tough side, he thinks you’d really fit in well. Rumor has it they may be looking to make one more big trade for an ex player after this too. Somebody to mentor you. They see some potential in you. The Bobcats are willing to give us two players for you and Quincy Pondexter.

Ewing Jr: Detoit? Motor City sounds good to me! Brandon Knight has a great future. They still have some vets like Hamilton and Wallace I think I could learn from. Will Charlotte be involved in the trade?

Dell Demps: Yes I think so, we have a deal on the table that suits all sides. It means we can give you that chance we feel you deserve. You can be a great pro, it’s just unlucky for you we are pretty strong at your positions. We want to shake things up a bit too.

Ewing Jr: Ok, sounds fair enough. I appreciate what you’ve done for me Dell.

Dell Demps: Great Patrick. If you’ll just sign here, this will confirm you have signed for a 1yr $480k deal.

Ewing Jr: Sweet. Thanks Man. See ya around!

Dell Demps: Pleasure doing business Patrick, keep in touch. Check out NBA.com later on to see the details of the full trade. Should be finalised by tomorrow. Get your bags packed for Detroit, they want to give you a medical there. Good Luck.

Ewing Jr: You too. See you in the NBA Finals!!

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

30th January 2012

Bobcats, Hornets and Pistons make big trade

In what could be heralded as a major risk for the Pistons, they gave away SF Austin Daye. He hadnt lived up to expectations so far, and the Pistons are 3 rd last in the East. But to trade him away for Rafer Alston and Patrick Ewing Jr? I'm not sure. Ok they picked up a Hornets first round pick, and Bobcats 2nd round pick, but i really feel this has to be the first of a few moves for the Pistons. Alston fits the Pistons mould of a tough, hustle guy, and can help Brandon Knight develop. As long as he doesnt want too many minutes. Will Bynum, may yet be traded. With Stuckeys departure to the Clippers, he had a chance to fight it out with Knight for the starting spot. That hasnt gone very well for him.

Ewing Jr. is an interesting prospect. His 2nd run in the NBA after playing well with the Hornets this year and last season. He can play the 3 and the 4, but it seems like it will definetly be the 3 here. Prince fled for Atlanta this year, and Ewing Jr. will wear his number. If he can become anything like the long, athletic, tough, defensive minded hustle guy Prince was, they might just be onto something. Watch this space for more trades though.

For the Bobcats, who are surprisingly in the hunt for a playoff place, this is a great trade. Cunningham was getting overlooked with Tyrus Thomas and rookie Bismack Biyombo grabbing most of the minutes. They signed him to an initial cost saving $1m per year. Well below the market value he would have expected, but after the CBA, nobody wants to give money to anything other than a sure thing. They also give up Dominic McGuire, who is solid but not spectacular. They kept their 1st round pick for next year, which may or may not be a lottery pick, but gave up their 2nd rounder to the Pistons. Fairly meaningless i think.

What they get back is 2 solid Small Forwards with potential, and most importantly expiring deals, if they dont show enough in the last 35 games. In Daye they have a guy who can give Magette some breathers, and maybe shape him into a Turkoglu type at the very best. Pondexter well, big guy, hustles a lot, but there is a reason the Hornets moved him.

For the injury plagued Hornets this make a lot of sense. They gave up Pondexter, Alston and Ewing Jr. They get back a solid 3 in McGuire, who can back up Ariza when he comes back. I presume he will get more back up time than Stojakovic, who really is on the decline. Cunningham intrigues me. You have got to think the Hornets see David West as a liability with all his injuries. After opting in for this season, his contract is up next year. Cunningham can be a bit of a project behind the tough post scorer Carl Landry, who is beginning to shine in West's absence.

It deepens their roster and they will hope some more strong reliable bodies will help them have a run at the West. Or risk losing CP3 next summer.

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

31st January 2012

Pistons, Suns and Kings shuffle some more pieces.

Joe Dumars has had enough of the soft, overpaid Charlie Villanueva. On a one way ticket to the Kings, where he will fight for starters time with Jason Thompson. Finally the Pistons rid theirselves of that makor mistake of giving Villanueva the big contract when they had all that capspace in 2009. They panic bought, along with Ben Gordon in an effort to rebuild a championship team. It couldnt have turned out worse. Hamstrung by the new contracts, and neither player played anywhere near their value.

Dajuan Summers is also moved along with the 2012 Bobcats 2nd rounder. A player with potential, but the Pistons seem to have other ideas. They get a small forward rotation of Grant Hill, Patrick Ewing Jr. and Kyle Singler. Defense is the key here, and the Pistons must be hoping that Grant Hill can help tutor Ewing Jr. and Singler into becoming solid wing men. Hill was delighted at the chance to return to Detroit, for one last run. The vet has 2 years left on his contract. And at age 39, better have some good backup. Detroit say goodbye to Big Ben, and get back the gritty Robin Lopez in exchange. Lopez was unhappy in Phoenix, Detroit must be hoping to make a Ben Wallace type player out of him.

By moving Villanueva, the Pistons give the green light to a rotation at power forward to recently signed Kenyon Martin, rookie Vernon Macklin and Jason Maxiell. Toughness all the way here for Detroit.

The Kings give up 2 of their 5 small forwards Casspi and Greene. It clears the way for rookie Tyler Honeycutt, veteran John Salmons and the tough Francisco Garcia to get more time at the 3. They get back another SF in Summmers, who they may yet move for another piece. They fill a need with Charlie V at power forward. And surely between him and Thompson, they can give DaMarcus Cousins some much needed backup.

The Suns gave up vet Grant Hill and Robin Lopez. They add Casspi and Greene, 2 young prospects to rotate with Jared Dudley. It gives them more balance and a deeper bench. they lose Lopez, who would have commanded a large new contract this summer. They also added Ben Wallace, who can play a few minutes off the bench behind the resurgent Marcin Gortat. And if worst comes to worst, they have the Bobcats 2012 2nd round pick to draft someone.

A trade between 3 bottom feeder teams, there is only so much the teams can expect from this. All 3 teams are looking to blend youth and experience, fill roster needs, and give a deeper bench in the pursuit of a better record. Hard to call who got the better deal here. Might be next year before we can tell.

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Ewing's Epilogues: Episode 7.



January 31st 2012

"Well just finished up my medical and about to catch a flight to Phoenix. We are playing the Suns tomorrow in what should be a hotly contested match between two teams near the bottom of each conference! But then i looked at NBA.com and seen the 2nd major trade Detroit had completed in 2 days!"

"Very excited at the players we are getting back, Grant Hill and Lopez. Looking forward to working with and learning from Hill. Good to see him back in Detroit, i'm sure he will want to leave the fans here something to remember him by, other than leaving for Orlando. Dell Demps was right in the fact that the Pistons are really shaking things up here. And they have made that trade for the veteran legend of Pistons past. I know it means i probably wont start right now, but i have a great chance to develop going forward. Joe D, who i just met yesterday seems like a nice man."

"He feels under pressure to undo the mistakes of recent years, and wants to start building a new team. Although 3rd from last in the East, Joe wants to put out a strong competitve team every night. He signed K-Mart in the offseason, for rebounding and toughness. They have an intriguing rookie in Vernon Macklin, and a developing big man in Greg Monroe to build around. 1st round draft pick Brandon Knight is a born leader, and he will look to continue his development, with the help of veteran Rafer Alston who came over from the Hornets with me."

"Looking forward to meeting the guys tonight, and seeing how we shape up against the Suns tomorrow!"



Hill is back in the Pistons colours.

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Roster as of January 31st 2012

Detroit Pistons 2011-12
#	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
1	Rafer Alston	PG	35	6'2	175	480K
12	Will Bynum	PG	29	6'0	185	3.25M
22	Patrick Ewing Jr.	SF	27	6'8	235	480K
8	Ben Gordon	SG	28	6'3	200	11.60M
32	Rip Hamilton	SG	33	6'7	193	12.50M
33	Grant Hill	SF	39	6'8	225	1.76M
7	Brandon Knight	PG	20	6'3	177	2.06M
5	Robin Lopez	C	23	7'0	255	2.86M
20	Vernon Macklin	PF	24	6'9	245	480K
6	Kenyon Martin	PF	34	6'9	240	1.98M
54	Jason Maxiell	PF	28	6'7	260	5.00M
10	Greg Monroe	C	21	7'0	243	3.01M
25	Kyle Singler	SF	24	6'9	228	473K
23	Terrico White	SG	22	6'5	194	737K

Detroit Pistons Depth Chart - 2011-12
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	Brandon Knight	Will Bynum	Rafer Alston
SG	Ben Gordon	Rip Hamilton		Terrico White
SF	Grant Hill	Patrick Ewing Jr.	Kyle Singler
PF	Kenyon Martin	Jason Maxiell	Vernon Macklin
C	Greg Monroe	Robin Lopez

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Game 1 Detroit Pistons 126 - 95 Phoenix Suns



Ewing Jr. done some serious damage in the 4th quarter dropping 15 points.

Feb 2, 2012 - Pistons @ Suns
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Detroit Pistons (16-31)	26	32	36	32	126
Phoenix Suns (16-30)	22	20	26	27	95

Detroit Pistons
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Patrick Ewing Jr.	20	8-11	3-3	3-5	7	6	0	0	0	22

Pistons Starters
W. Bynum
B. Gordon
G. Hill
K. Martin
G. Monroe

Suns Starters
A. Brooks
JR. Smith
J. Dudley
C. Frye
M. Gortat

Game Leaders
Pts - 29 - JR. Smith (Suns)
Rebs - 10 - C. Frye (Suns)
Asts - 11 - R. Alston (Pistons)
Stls - 2 - A. Brooks (Suns)
Blks - 2 - R. Lopez (Hornets)

Ewing’s Epilogue

“What a debut! Man that felt good! Only played 8 minutes in first 3 quarters, then the whole last quarter. Exploded tonight with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. I dont really care that at this stage the Suns were running their bench, because we were too. Still my NBA scoring high!”

"Grant Hill was sensational tonight. First game back for the Pistons, but he just stayed in Phoenix for it! 27 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists! He really is a leader. Brings so much experience and toughness to this team. Great guy to be around. Some superb performances by the whole roster tonight. We have similar records to the Suns, but just blew them out of the water tonight!"

"Rafer Alston shared the point with Will Bynum, but it was when Rafer, Rip, Grant, Kenyon and Greg were on the floor that we clicked. An excellent 2nd quarter from Rip with 13 total, Monroe 14pts and 7 rebounds, K-Mart 8 pts and 7 boards. Rafer had 11 assists and showed his veteran leadership and excellent court vision. Ben Gordon had 14 but shot 5-14 from the field. Not a game he'll be proud of. And to think we still have Brandon Knight to come back from injury next week!"

"The Suns only really had one theat. JR Smith who had 29 points. Aaron Brooks tried to get it goings but could only add 16. Jameer Nelson was a little spark of the bench with 14. Nelson and Brooks are having a great battle over the starting pg position with Nash in Orlando now. But this is a poor team, considering Smith is their only real star."

"Up to California now to play the Warriors! They are currently 5th in the west, just ahead of the Grizzlies by a game. Should be a tough matchup."

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Game 2 Detroit Pistons 107 - 103 Golden State Warriors



Ewing Jr. made some tough contested shots tonight, but his defense was key.

Feb 3, 2012 - Pistons @ Warriors
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Detroit Pistons (17-31)	28	37	20	22	107
Golden State Warriors (27-20)	27	18	29	29	103

Detroit Pistons
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Patrick Ewing Jr.	18	6-10	1-3	1-2	6	2	0	1	0	14

Pistons Starters
W. Bynum
B. Gordon
G. Hill
K. Martin
G. Monroe

Warriors Starters
S. Curry
M. Ellis
D. Wright
D. Lee
A. Biedrins

Game Leaders
Pts - 45 - M. Ellis (Warriors)
Rebs - 11 - D. Lee (Warriors)
Asts - 14 - W. Bynum (Pistons)
Stls - 3 - R. Alston (Pistons)
Blks - 5 - G. Monroe (Pistons)

Ewing’s Epilogue

“Wow relieved to hang on tonight! We blew a 20 point lead at half time, almost let the Warriors overtake us in the 2nd half. Pure grit and tough defense won out in the end. With guys like Grant, K-Mart and Rafer on the team, we looked like the real warriors out there! The final few minutes of the 4th, Hill was matched up on Ellis, and i was on Dorrell Wright. Rafer took Curry. All 3 of us were excellent, and helped get some vital stops.”

"Greg Monroe (13pts) was dominant under the boards tonight. 5 blocks and 5 boards. But he forced so many shots off. Between himself and K-Mart (10pts 10 rebs) they played stellar D. They forced Lee (11pts 11rebs)and Biedrins (6pts 7 rebs) away from the basket all night. Ellis was left to shoulder all the scoring load with 45! But we had Ben Gordon who had 23 in a much better shooting performance. Rip added 16 off the bench, along with Grants 18. Not to be outdone, in my sporadic minutes i scored 14, mostly off fastbreaks and alley-oops though!"

"Bynum was superb in running the point, dishing 14 dimes! We had a team high in blocks this season with 11. And with 6 steals to boot, our defense really stepped up. Coach Woodson said the grit and fight we showed tonight and last night is what the Pistons have been missing all season. Add some hustle guys, some rebounders,tough defenders and street wise vets, and all of a sudden you have 2 wins in a row!"

"I already like my role here. I bring energy and hustle, and can be brought on to specialise on defense. Watching Grant and K-Mart play, they are such smart defenders, i'm really learning on the job! Cannot wait for my home debut on Monday vs the Bucks. A team just outside the East playoffs. If we can defend at the level we had spurts of tonight, we will have a shot."

[RMJH4]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Game 3 Milwaukee Bucks 99 - 100 Detroit Pistons



Ewing Jr. took it to the rack on several occasions tonight.

Feb 5, 2012 - Bucks @ Pistons
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Milwakee Bucks (23-27)	27	17	31	24	99
Detroit Pistons (18-31)	31	22	23	24	100

Detroit Pistons
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Patrick Ewing Jr.	22	6-11	2-3	1-2	4	4	1	1	1	15

Bucks Starters
B. Jennings
S. Jackson
C. Delfino
D. Gooden
A. Bogut

Pistons Starters
W. Bynum
B. Gordon
G. Hill
K. Martin
G. Monroe

Game Leaders
Pts - 24 - B. Jennings (Bucks)
Rebs - 11 - K. Martin (Pistons)
Asts - 14 - B. Jennings (Bucks)
Stls - 4 - W. Bynum (Pistons)
Blks - 2 - G. Monroe (Pistons)

Ewing’s Epilogue

“Really pulled one out of the fire tonight! Superb win against the playoff chasing Bucks. Our defense wa superb tonight. Really closing out the game well. Greg Monroe had 2 block and 9 rebounds to go with 16 points. K- Mart had 14pts and 11 rebounds. Hill was an excellent defender and all around leader with 15 points and 5 assists. He was assigned the task of keeping Captain Jack quiet, and limited him to 15 points.”

"I was over the moon with my game. 15 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block! My all around game is developing quickly as i learn to play the 3 spot. Grant is excellent to watch and learn from every night. I spent some time defending Jackson too, and he was a tough assignment.I'm really happy that i played 22 minutes tonight in Ben Gordons absence. Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut were the Bucks main threats. Jennings had 24 pts with 14 assists, Bogut, 19 pts and 10 rebounds."

"Monroe and K-Mart were a nightmare for every Buck, dominant on the boards all night long. Brandon Knight was back from injury and played well, scoring 10 points and dishing 8 dimes. We really have a great trio of point guards with Knight, Bynum and Alston!"

"Thats 2 wins in a row, big upturn in our fortunes with all the trades. Philadelphia 76ers at home on Wednesday. With that in mind i think i'll have a look at the lastest standing, see what we will be up against."

[RMJH4]

Saints owner agrees to buy Hornets.

Saints owner agrees to buy Hornets.

February 6th, 2012| by ESPN.COM

NEW YORK -- Tom Benson brought stability to the Saints nearly three decades ago and now plans to do the same for the Hornets in small-market New Orleans.

The Saints' owner agreed Friday to purchase the Hornets from the NBA.

"We expect this club to be one of the most outstanding clubs in the league, otherwise I don't want to get involved," Benson said. "This is just a good thing and I'm just glad to be a part of it."

A person familiar with the deal says the purchase price is $338 million. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the financial terms have not been announced.

The NBA has been trying to sell the Hornets since buying the club from founder George Shinn in December 2010. While preparing the team for sale the league negotiated a new lease for the Hornets to remain in the state-owned New Orleans Arena through 2024.

The sale of the team to Benson has to be approved by the NBA's Board of Governors, which was meeting in New York on Friday.

"The city is one of the country's treasures and we really have found the perfect owner," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "Our goal all along has been to get the Hornets bought by somebody whose commitment to New Orleans would be unrivaled."

The framework of ownership negotiations were handled in a way that a new Hornets owner would have to accept the lease worked out between the NBA and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. The lease agreement also called for $50 million in improvements to the basketball stadium, which sits right across the street from the Superdome.

Once the NBA approves the sale of the team to Benson, the next step is for the state legislature to approve the arena lease deal because of the funding needed for stadium improvements. But legislative leaders already have publicly voiced support for the proposed lease deal, which would take effect in July.

The 84-year-old Benson, a New Orleans-native, has owned the Saints since 1985, when he stepped in to block efforts by other prospective investors to move the NFL franchise to Jacksonville, Fla. Now Benson has made another major investment to stabilize the NBA's presence in the Big Easy on the same day that the Hornets were hosting the Utah Jazz, the very team New Orleans lost to relocation in 1979.

Benson helped bring the Saints their first playoff appearance in 1987 and finally a Super Bowl title in 2010. His ownership of the Hornets means the two small-market franchises both will be locally owned and now can work as partners in their efforts to attract corporate sponsorships, and Hornets fans can at least hope that will translate to a better product on the hardwood.

"When you have somebody like Mr. Benson, I think it makes it a ton easier because you have stability and you have a foundation," Hornets coach Monty Williams said before Friday night's tip-off. "It can only be good for me as a coach, our players and especially our city."

Hornets forward Carl Landry, who signed only a one-year deal with New Orleans this season in part because of the ownership situation, said Benson's involvement "definitely will help."

"That was definitely a question mark this past summer, not knowing if the team was going to stay, not having an owner," Landry said. "Being a free agent again this summer, the Hornets are a team I've been with the last two years and have grown accustomed to, and with the owner now, that definitely will help with resigning with the team."

At the very least, the move provided Benson with some refreshingly positive publicity on the heels of the Saints' bounty scandal, which led the NFL to suspend head coach Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season -- the same season that will see New Orleans host the Super Bowl.

Only a day before the Saints announced Benson's purchase of the Hornets, the NFL club announced that assistant head coach Joe Vitt, who also oversees linebackers, would be elevated to interim coach for the coming football season, despite his own six-game suspension in connection with the bounty probe.

While the Saints have become a cherished institution that has become entrenched in the local culture since the club's founding in 1967, the Hornets are relatively new to Louisiana's pro sports landscape.

The Hornets moved to New Orleans from Charlotte in 2002, but have often been on shaky ground since, including when the club spent two full seasons in Oklahoma City after Hurricane Katrina devastated large parts of southeast Louisiana in August 2005.

In 2010, former owner George Shinn decided to pull out. He was unable to find a buyer who would commit to keeping the team in New Orleans, so the NBA took the unprecedented step of taking ownership of the team and has been working to find a new permanent local owner for a year-and-a-half.

As part of the effort to attract a new owner, team officials spent the past offseason conducting an unusual campaign to build the club's season-ticket base to 10,000, which the league considers a benchmark for successful franchises. The campaign involved social mixers in the homes of prominent business people in the region.

The team also attracted more major corporate sponsors for the 2011-12 season than it had ever had since moving to the Big Easy.

It was not immediately clear how a change in ownership might affect the front office personnel who led marketing effort for the Hornets in the past year or the coaching staff, as there was no immediate word from Benson or his associates on that front.

Williams and general manager Dell Demps each are in their second seasons, having joined forces to help the Hornets make the playoffs last season.

According to The Times-Picayune, Benson said he will seek to change the name of the Hornets to better fit New Orleans.

"We need to find a name like (Jazz)," Benson said, according to the newspaper. "Whether we can get that or let us use that, you've got to know we're working on it. We'd like to change it tomorrow. We have not gotten that approved, but we're not letting up on it, either. Because we've got a good relationship with the commissioner and his people and we're going to be on them daily to do something."

[bichettehappens]

Re: Living in the Shadows – A Patrick Ewing Jr. Story

Off to a good start in Detroit, very nice!